Abstract
Objectives: This study examines the influence of collective strain on support
for violent extremism among an ethnically diverse sample of Swiss adolescents.
This study explores two claims derived from general strain theory:
(1) Exposure to collective strain is associated with higher support for violent
extremism and (2) the effect of collective strain is conditional on
perceptions of moral and legal constraints. Methods: This study uses data
from two waves of the Zurich Project on the Social Development of Children
and Youth. We use ordinary least squares procedures to regress
violent extremist attitudes at age 17 on strain, moral and legal constraints,
and control variables measured at ages 15 to 17. Conditional effects were
examined using an interaction term for collective strain and moral neutralization
and legal cynicism, respectively. Results: The results show that collective
strain does not have a direct effect on violent extremist attitudes
once other variables are controlled. However, the degree to which individuals
neutralize moral and legal constraints amplifies the impact of collective
strain on violent extremist attitudes. Conclusions: This study shows that
those who already espouse justifications for violence and rule breaking are
more vulnerable to extremist violent pathways, particularly when exposed
to collective social strife, conflict, and repression.
once other variables are controlled. However, the degree to which individuals
neutralize moral and legal constraints amplifies the impact of collective
strain on violent extremist attitudes. Conclusions: This study shows that
those who already espouse justifications for violence and rule breaking are
more vulnerable to extremist violent pathways, particularly when exposed
to collective social strife, conflict, and repression.
Nivette, A